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Abstract:

A system and method are provided to facilitate establishing WiGig
communications links between WiGig-enabled wireless devices and WiGig
PBSS Control Points and Access Points (PCP/AP). The PCP/AP transmits
beacons that are intended to assist the wireless devices in locating the
PCP/AP. Based on the directional nature of WiGig communications, the
beacons are transmitted directionally in a number of sectors in multiple
directions simultaneously or in sequence. When devices, such as wireless
devices, attempting to connect via a PCP/AP, are positioned very close to
the PCP/AP, the devices may be incapable of receiving the transmitted
beacons because the low noise amplifier (LNA) located in the individual
wireless device receiver may become saturated. The disclosed systems and
methods broadcast the beacons at lower power according to different
schemes at certain intervals to avoid saturating the LNAs.

Claims:

1. A method for facilitating wireless communication, comprising:
broadcasting a beacon signal from a wireless connection point at a first
power level in a plurality of sectors at predetermined time intervals to
facilitate connection of at least one other wireless device with the
wireless connection point; and controlling, with a processor, a broadcast
scheme for the beacon signal from the wireless connection point such that
the beacon signal is broadcast at a second power level in at least some
of the plurality of sectors each k intervals, where k is an integer
greater than one, the second power level being less than the first power
level.

2. The method of claim 1, the controlling, with the processor, comprising
controlling the power level of the beacon signal to broadcast the beacon
signal from the wireless connection point at the second power level in
all of the plurality of sectors at each k intervals.

3. The method of claim 2, the second power level being at least a 10 Db
power reduction from the first power level.

4. The method of claim 1, the controlling, with the processor, comprising
controlling the beacon signal to broadcast the beacon signal
omnidirectionally from the wireless connection point at each k intervals.

5. The method of claim 4, the omnidirectional broadcast of the beacon
signal realizing at least a 6 Db reduction in an output power level from
the wireless connection point.

6. The method of claim 1, the controlling, with the processor, comprising
controlling the beacon signal to broadcast the beacon signal from the
wireless connection point at the first power level in a subset of the
plurality of sectors at each k intervals.

7. The method of claim 6, the subset of the plurality of sectors being a
different subset in each pair of k intervals.

8. The method of claim 1, the beacon signal facilitating connection of a
WiGig-enabled wireless device and a WiGig-enabled wireless connection
point.

9. The method of claim 8, the WiGig-enabled wireless device and the
WiGig-enabled wireless connection point communicating in the mmWave
region of the radio-frequency spectrum.

10. The method of claim 9, the beacon signal carrying network management
information for a network supported by the wireless access point.

11. The method of claim 10, the beacon signal including information
usable to facilitate a beamforming process between the wireless access
point.

12. A device for facilitating wireless communication, comprising: a
beacon transmitter that broadcasts a beacon signal at a first power level
in a plurality of sectors at predetermined time intervals to facilitate
connecting for data communication with at least one wireless device; and
a processor that is programmed to control a broadcast scheme for the
beacon signal such that the beacon signal is broadcast at a second power
level in at least some of the plurality of sectors each k intervals,
where k is an integer greater than one, the second power level being less
than the first power level.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a WiGig radio transmitting
in the mmWave region of the radio frequency spectrum for establishing
data communication with a compatible wireless device.

14. The device of claim 12, the processor controlling the power level of
the beacon signal to broadcast the beacon signal at the second power
level in all of the plurality of sectors at each k intervals.

15. The device of claim 14, the second power level being at least a 10 Db
power reduction from the first power level.

16. The device of claim 12, the processor controlling the beacon signal
to broadcast the beacon signal omnidirectionally at each k intervals.

17. The device of claim 16, the omnidirectional broadcast of the beacon
signal realizing at least a 6 Db reduction in an output power level from
the device.

18. The device of claim 12, the processor controlling the beacon signal
to broadcast the beacon signal at the first power level in a subset of
the plurality of sectors at each k intervals.

19. The device of claim 18, the subset of the plurality of sectors being
a different subset in each pair of k intervals.

20. The device of claim 12, the beacon signal carrying network management
information for a network.

21. The device of claim 20, the beacon signal including information
usable to facilitate a beamforming process.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable
instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to
execute a method for synchronizing cable data channels, the method
comprising: broadcasting a beacon signal from a wireless connection point
at a first power level in a plurality of sectors at predetermined time
intervals to facilitate connection of at least one wireless device with
the wireless connection point; and controlling a broadcast scheme for the
beacon signal from the wireless connection point such that the beacon
signal is broadcast at a second power level in at least some of the
plurality of sectors each k intervals, where k is an integer greater than
one, the second power level being less than the first power level.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosed Embodiments

[0002] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for facilitating
connection between a WiGig-enabled wireless device and a WiGig-enabled
wireless access point.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] With the proliferation of wireless devices of all types running
increasingly sophisticated applications, the demand for available
bandwidth has increased dramatically. Communications in the millimeter
wave (mmWave), e.g., 60 GHz, region of the frequency spectrum have
emerged as a unique solution to the need for increased bandwidth for a
number of reasons. Transmitting, for example, in the 60 GHz frequency
range offers extremely high data throughputs as a result of the
unlicensed ultra-wide bandwidth available. A tradeoff is that
communications in this frequency range are highly directional.

[0005] Wireless communications in the 60 GHz frequency range experience a
high level of atmospheric RF energy absorption. Understanding that the
transmitted RF energy in this frequency region would be quickly absorbed
by oxygen molecules in the atmosphere over long distances, wireless
technology developers focused on this characteristic as a benefit for
certain applications. Previously, the high levels of atmospheric
absorption and resultant range limitations were viewed as rendering
mmWave technologies unsuitable for certain wireless applications. As
there emerged a need for short-range, selective, and interference free
high data throughput transmission paths, however, mmWave technologies,
and particularly 60 GHz mmWave systems, emerged as a solution.

[0006] An ability to provide secure, straight-line, high data rate
communications is a significant plus. This is balanced by the need to
establish and maintain directional beam communication with a receiving
device, such as a wireless device with which a mmWave source, or access
point, is communicating.

[0007] Communication standards for operations in the mmWave portion of the
RF spectrum are being established and revised by the Wireless Gigabit
Alliance or WiGig. WiGig is an organization promoting the adoption of
multi-gigabit speed wireless communications technologies operating
primarily in the unlicensed 60 GHz mmWave frequency band. The WiGig
specification defines a standard for high speed wireless communication in
support of wireless data, display and audio applications that supplement
the capabilities of local area network (LAN) devices operating in other
portions of the unlicensed RF spectrum. WiGig-enabled devices may deliver
data at rates that are 7-10 times faster than the rates available for
existing Wi-Fi devices. The mmWave communication capabilities will
generally be referred to throughout this disclosure as WiGig
communications. A very similar standard to WiGiG is the IEEE 802.11TGad:
Draft Standard for Information Technology--Telecommunications and
Information Exchange Between 7 Systems--Local and Metropolitan Area
Networks--Specific Requirements--Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access
Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications--Amendment 3:
Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the 60 GHz Band
("IEEE802.11TGad"). Devices described in this application as being WiGiG
compatible devices may also be IEEE802.11TGad compatible devices.

[0008] Directional WiGig communications rely on establishing communication
between the wireless device and a wireless access point such as, for
example, a WiGig Private Basic Service Set (PBSS) Control Point/Access
Point (PCP/AP). The PCP/AP transmits beacons periodically. These beacons
allow wireless devices to associate with the PCP/AP for wireless WiGig
communications.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In order to facilitate establishing WiGig communications links
between wireless devices and a WiGig PCP/AP, the PCP/AP transmits beacons
that are intended to assist the wireless non-PCP/AP STA devices in
locating the PCP/AP. Based on the directional nature of WiGig
communications, the beacons are transmitted directionally in a number of
sectors in multiple directions. When devices, such as wireless devices
that are attempting to connect via a PCP/AP, are positioned very close to
the PCP/AP, the devices may be incapable of receiving the transmitted
beacons because the low noise amplifier (LNA) located in the individual
wireless device receiver may become saturated.

[0010] Users may believe that placing the wireless device in closest
proximity to the PCP/AP is most beneficial in making the connection
based, for example, on the users' experiences with other wireless
connections, including infrared. This close proximity, however, may
exacerbate the saturation of the LNA.

[0011] The situation will likely to preclude the wireless device from
connecting via the PCP/AP. In other words, a 60 GHz (WiGig or
IEEE802.11TGadcompliant) wireless device attempting to associate with a
WiGig PCP/AP may fail to associate if the user places it to close to the
PCP/AP because the LNA in the receiver of the wireless device becomes
saturated whenever the PCP/AP transmits a beacon. This difficulty may be
particularly acute in instances in which the wireless device is a small
form factor device, e.g., a smartphone. The user will err in such
instances in trying to "improve" link quality by placing the device close
to the PCP/AP antennas, saturating the receiver LNA in the small form
factor device with every beacon transmission.

[0012] In view of the above shortfalls in current WiGig implementations,
it may be beneficial to provide a modified beacon transmission scheme for
beacons emanating from the PCP/AP in a manner that may increase the
likelihood of connection with individual wireless devices that are
attempting to connect via the PCP/AP.

[0013] Exemplary embodiments may provide a PCP/AP that transmits a beacon
at intervals and that, for example, at every k intervals (k being an
integer greater than 1), transmits a beacon at a reduced power level in
order to avoid saturating a low noise amplifier in an individual wireless
device that may be attempting to connect with the PCP/AP and that may be
placed in close proximity to the PCP/AP.

[0014] Exemplary embodiments may provide an opportunity for an individual
wireless device attempting to connect with the PCP/AP to receive a beacon
transmitted at a lower power level that does not saturate an LNA in a
receiver in the individual wireless device in order to facilitate
connection of the individual wireless device with the PCP/AP.

[0015] Exemplary embodiments may provide a PCP/AP that transmits a beacon
at a reduced power level, for example, at a 10 Db reduction from a normal
beacon power level in order to facilitate connection with an individual
wireless device in a manner that does not saturate an LNA in the
individual wireless device.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, an association of an individual wireless
device with a particular WiGig-enabled PCP/AP may occur more slowly
because a lower power level beacon is transmitted only every k intervals
(k being an integer greater than 1). This is preferable, however, to a
failure of the individual wireless device to connect to the PCP/AP at
all.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the transmission of the low power level
beacon will not adversely affect other connection capabilities with the
transmitting PCP/AP, which at all other times transmits the beacon at a
normal power level.

[0018] Exemplary embodiments may transmit a beacon at a lower power level
every k intervals (k being an integer greater than 1) by transmitting the
beacon omnidirectionally every k intervals.

[0019] Exemplary embodiments may facilitate connection between a wireless
device and a PCP/AP when the PCP/AP is configured to transmit a beacon in
a sector adjacent to a sector in which the wireless device is located
with respect to the PCP/AP.

[0020] These and other features, and advantages, of the disclosed systems
and methods are described in, or apparent from, the following detailed
description of various exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods
for facilitating connection between a WiGig-enabled device and a
WiGig-enabled PCP/AP will be described, in detail, with reference to the
following drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary broadcast pattern for a beacon
transmission emanating from a WiGig-enabled PCP/AP that may be modified
by the systems and methods according to this disclosure;

[0023] FIGS. 2A-C illustrates line drawings of exemplary modifications to
beacon transmissions based on the systems and methods according to this
disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary WiGig-enabled
wireless device for use with the systems and methods according to this
disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary WiGig-enabled
wireless access point for use with the systems and methods according to
this disclosure; and

[0026]FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for
facilitating connection between a WiGig-enabled wireless device and a
WiGig-enabled wireless access point according to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The systems and methods for facilitating connection between a
WiGig-enabled wireless device and a WiGig-enabled access point will
generally refer to this specific utility for those systems and methods.
Exemplary embodiments described and depicted in this disclosure should
not be interpreted as being specifically limited to any particular
combination of communicating capabilities or applications, or to any
specific system infrastructure. In fact, any selective beacon-aided
wireless connectivity scheme, and any complementary configuration for
WiGig-enabled PCP/AP, that may benefit from the systems and methods
according to this disclosure is contemplated.

[0028] Specific reference to, for example, any wireless device should be
understood as being exemplary only, and not limited, in any manner, to
any particular class of wireless devices, such as, for example,
smartphones, netbooks, notebook computers, electronic tablets, wireless
capable PDAs or the like, particularly those that include at least one
WiGig radio. The systems and methods according to this disclosure will be
described as being particularly adaptable to being hosted on
WiGig-enabled PCP/AP for communication with myriad wireless devices, but
should not be considered as being limited to only these classes of
devices.

[0029] Individual features and advantages of the disclosed systems and
methods will be set forth in the description that follows, and will be,
in part, obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of
the features described in this disclosure. The features and advantages of
the systems and methods according to this disclosure may be realized and
obtained by means of the individual elements, and combinations of those
elements, as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. While
specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this
is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant
art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used
without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter of this
disclosure.

[0030] As indicated above, in order to facilitate establishing
communications via a PCP/AP, the PCP/AP transmits one or more beacon
frames in different directions, generally referred to as sectors. These
beacons may carry network management information for the network
supported by, or accessed by, the PCP/AP. Based on the directional nature
of WiGig communications, the beacon frames may include information usable
to facilitate a beamforming process between the PCP/AP and one or more
individual wireless devices. To join the network supported by the PCP/AP
via the PCP/AP, an individual wireless device may scan for a beacon,
establish some initial beamforming and once communications are
established, complete an association with the PCP/AP for executing WiGig
communications with the network. The beacons are transmitted using
antenna arrays. The arrays are generally steerable in order that the
beacon may be transmitted in individual sectors from the PCP/AP. It also
may be possible to employ an omnidirectional antenna which would result
in transmissions in any individual sector occurring at a lower overall
power. Transmitting omnidirectionally may result in a loss of 6-15 Db
from a normal power level.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary broadcast pattern 100 for a beacon
transmission emanating from a WiGig-enabled PCP/AP 110 that may be
modified by the systems and methods according to this disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 1, a WiGig-enabled PCP/AP 110 may transmit beacon signals
in a number of discrete directions or sectors 120A-X in an effort to
facilitate establishing wireless WiGig communications with one or more
WiGig-enabled wireless devices 130. A difficulty to which the systems and
methods according to this disclosure is addressed generally may occur
when the wireless device 130 is placed within a certain physical
proximity to the PCP/AP (the radius of a generic physical proximity being
represented by the circle 140 in FIG. 1). In such instances, an LNA in
the receiver unit of a WiGig radio (see FIG. 3) in the wireless device
130 may become noise saturated by the beacon signal, thereby precluding
connection of the wireless device 130 with the PCP/AP 110 for wireless
WiGig communications.

[0032] FIGS. 2A-C illustrates line drawings of exemplary modifications to
beacon transmissions based on the systems and methods according to this
disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2A-C, a number of modifications may be made
to the beacon transmission emanating from the PCP/AP in an effort to
reduce or eliminate instances of LNA saturation in the wireless device,
thereby facilitating the ability of the wireless device to establish a
WiGig communication link with the PCP/AP.

[0033] In embodiment 200 shown in FIG. 2A, every k intervals (k being an
integer greater than 1), the PCP/AP may transmit the beacon signal in all
directions or sectors at a reduced power level in a pattern indicated by
the reduced arrow lengths. For example, the beacon signal may be
modulated such that an output power level is reduced 10 Db from a normal
power level to reduce occurrences of LNA saturation in a receiving
wireless device.

[0034] In embodiment 220 shown in FIG. 2B, every k intervals (k being an
integer greater than 1), the PCP/AP may transmit the beacon signal
omnidirectionally in a pattern represented by the circle. Such
omnidirectional transmission may reduce an output power level at any
point by 6-15 Db from a normal power level to reduce occurrences of LNA
saturation in a receiving wireless device.

[0035] In embodiment 240 shown in FIG. 2C, every k intervals (k being an
integer greater than 1), the PCP/AP may transmit the beacon signal in a
subset of all directions or sectors at a constant or normal power level.
Based on the directional nature of the beacon signal, a receiving
wireless device in proximity to the PCP/AP, may still have the
opportunity to receive the beacon signal, even though it is "angled off"
from a direct path to the receiving wireless device, at a pseudo-reduced
power level based on the spatial orientation. Each k intervals, the
subset of all directions or sectors in which the beacon signal is
transmitted may differ or be changed.

[0036] It should be appreciated that the above techniques may be employed
individually, or they may be mixed and matched in various combinations,
in order to facilitate non-saturated beacon transmission by a receiving
wireless device to facilitate establishing WiGig communications between
the receiving wireless device and a WiGig-enabled PCP/AP.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary WiGig-enabled
wireless device ("device") 300 for use with the systems and methods
according to this disclosure. For the purposes of this disclosure, it is
understood that the device 300 includes at least one WiGig radio 350 for
establishing WiGig communications with one or more WiGig-enabled access
points such as a PCP/AP.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the device 300 may include a user interface 310
by which a user may communicate with the device 300, or with a network
with which the device 300 is in communication. The user interface 310 in
device 300 may include any device by which the user may communicate with
the device 300 including, for example, an integral keyboard, a
touchscreen display, and/or a microphone for interpreting voice commands
or other like device for data input and exchange with the device 300.
Virtually any conventional means by which a user may input data and/or
instructions to the device 300 is contemplated.

[0039] The device 300 may include one or more local processors 320 for
individually undertaking the processing and control functions that are
carried out by the device 300 for accomplishing data communication via at
least the WiGig radio 350. Processor(s) 320 may include at least one
conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes
instructions and processes data in order to establish and enable WiGig
communications in device 300.

[0040] The device 300 may include one or more data storage devices 330.
Such data storage device(s) 330 may be used to store data, and operating
programs or applications to be used by the device 300, and specifically
the processor(s) 320. Data storage device(s) 330 may include a random
access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that stores
information and instructions for execution by the processor(s) 320. Data
storage device(s) 330 may also include a read-only memory (ROM), which
may include a conventional ROM device or another type of static storage
device that stores static information and instructions for execution by
the processor(s) 320. The data storage device(s) 330 will generally be
those that are integral to the device 300, and not some other data
storage device that may be provided external to, and in wireless
communication with, the device 300. The data storage device(s) 330 may
store functions, algorithms and/or settings for reference in establishing
and enabling the WiGig communications with the device 300.

[0041] The device 300 may include a display device 340 that may be
configured as a conventional display device by which to inform the user
regarding operation of the device 300 and/or, in combination with the
user interface 310, to enable the user to execute applications stored in
the device 300, or accessible by the device 300 when the device 300 is in
communication with a network via at least a WiGig communication link
established via the WiGig radio 350.

[0042] The device 300 may include a WiGig radio 350. The WiGig radio 350
may include an integral WiGig transceiver, or otherwise may include
separate transmitter and receiver devices. Regardless of a specific
configuration, the receiver component or device of the WiGig radio 350
may include a low noise amplifier (LNA). The LNA may become saturated by
a beacon signal being transmitted by a WiGig-enabled wireless access
point (PCP/AP) when the device 300 is positioned in too close a proximity
to the PCP/AP thereby precluding an ability of the device 300 to
establish WiGig communications with the PCP/AP via the WiGig radio 350.
It should be noted that the device 300 may include other radios for
establishing communication links in other portions of the licensed or
unlicensed RF spectrum including, for example, a Wi-Fi radio or a
cellular telephone radio.

[0043] All of the various components of the device 300, as depicted in
FIG. 3, may be connected by one or more data/control busses 360. The
data/control bus(ses) 360 may provide internal communication between the
various components of the device 300, as all of those components are
housed integrally in the device 300.

[0044] It is anticipated that the various disclosed elements of the device
300 may be arranged in combinations of sub-systems as individual
components or combinations of components, but regardless of the specific
configuration, all of the depicted components may be integral to a single
unit that is the device 300.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary WiGig-enabled
wireless access point, such as a "PCP/AP," 400 for use with the systems
and methods according to this disclosure.

[0046] The PCP/AP 400 may include its own user interface 410 by which a
user may communicate with the other components of the PCP/AP 400. The
user interface 410 in the PCP/AP 400 may include similar devices to those
described above with reference to the user interface 310 in the device
300. Alternatively, the user interface 410 may comprise a separate
keyboard and mouse, or other user interface device such as, for example,
a portable data storage medium and compatible data storage medium reader
that the user may employ to input data and/or instructions to the PCP/AP
400.

[0047] The PCP/AP 400 may include one or more processors 420 that are
configured to carry into effect the determinations and control functions,
including beacon signal transmission control and sequencing. It is
anticipated that most of the determinations regarding beacon signal
transmission sequencing that may facilitate establishing WiGig
communication with one or more wireless devices will be undertaken by the
processor(s) 420 in the PCP/AP 400, possibly based on information
provided by a user via the user interface 410 to select one or more of
the beacon signal schemes that are depicted in exemplary fashion in FIG.
2.

[0048] The PCP/AP 400 may include one or more data storage devices 430.
The data storage device(s) 430 may be used for static or dynamic storage
of data to be transmitted to one or more wireless devices. The data
storage device(s) 430 may be segregated according to the type of data
stored, or the communication link for which the data is stored when more
than a WiGig radio 460 may be a part of the PCP/AP 400.

[0049] The PCP/AP 400 may include its own display device 440 that may be
configured as a conventional display device by which to inform the user
regarding operation of the PCP/AP 400 and/or status of the communication
links or devices in communication with the PCP/AP 400 for monitoring
purposes.

[0050] The PCP/AP 400 may include a separate beacon transmitter 450, or
the beacon transmitter may be a portion of one of the radios, including
the WiGig radio 460 housed in the PCP/AP 400. The beacon transmitter 450
may have a number of operating modes that may result in beacon signal
being manipulated according to one of the exemplary schemes shown, for
example, in FIGS. 2A-C under direction of the processor 420 or otherwise.

[0051] The PCP/AP 400 may include a WiGig radio 460. The WiGig radio 460
may include an integral WiGig transceiver, or otherwise may include
separate transmitter and receiver devices. It should be noted that the
PCP/AP 400 may include other radios for establishing communication links
in other portions of the licensed or unlicensed RF spectrum including,
for example, a Wi-Fi radio or a cellular telephone radio.

[0052] The PCP/AP 400 may include one or more external communication
interfaces 470 by which data and application information may be exchanged
with a network that the PCP/AP 400 supports for effecting WiGig
communication with one or more WiGig-enabled wireless devices to
facilitate the wireless device(s) exchanging data with, and executing
applications hosted on, the network. The external communication interface
470 may be configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication
according to any protocol that may be available for data exchange and
application execution communications with the network supported by the
PCP/AP 400.

[0053] All of the various components of the PCP/AP 400, as depicted in
FIG. 4, may be connected by one or more data/control busses 480. The
data/control bus(ses) 480 may provide wired or wireless communication
between the various components of the PCP/AP 400, whether locally housed
together in a single unit or remotely dispersed in multiple individual
facilities.

[0054] It should be appreciated that, although depicted in FIG. 4 as an
integral unit, the various disclosed elements of the PCP/AP 400 may be
arranged in any combination of sub-systems as individual components or
combinations of components, housed in a single location or remotely
dispersed in multiple locations and in wired or wireless communication
with other of the individual components of the PCP/AP 400. In other
words, no specific configuration as an integral unit or as a support
unit, or as several units or sub-systems widely dispersed, for the PCP/AP
400 is to be implied by the depiction in FIG. 4.

[0055]FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for
facilitating connection between a WiGig-enabled wireless device and a
WiGig-enabled wireless access point (PCP/AP) according to this
disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, operation of the method commences at Step
S5000 and proceeds to Step S5100.

[0056] In Step S5100, a beacon signal may be transmitted at regular
intervals from a WiGig-enabled PCP/AP at a first (normal) power level in
all of a plurality of sectors to facilitate connection with at least one
wireless device located in at least one of the plurality of sectors.
Operation of the method proceeds to Step S5200.

[0057] In Step S5200, at k intervals (where k is an integer greater than
1), the beacon signal may be transmitted from the WiGig-enabled PCP/AP at
a second (lower) power level in all of the plurality of sectors to
facilitate connection with at least one wireless device located in at
least one of the plurality of sectors. The second (lower) power level may
be, for example, reduced 10 Db from the first (normal) power level.
Operation of the method proceeds to Step S5300.

[0058] In Step S5300, at k intervals (where k is an integer greater than
1), the beacon signal may be transmitted from the WiGig-enabled PCP/AP
omnidirectionally at a third (lower) power level to facilitate connection
with at least one wireless device. Omnidirectional transmission of the
beacon signal may realize a 6-15 Db reduction from the first (normal)
power level. Operation of the method proceeds to Step S5400.

[0059] In Step S5400, at k intervals (where k is an integer greater than
1), the beacon signal may be transmitted from the WiGig-enabled PCP/AP at
the first (normal) power level in a subset of all of the plurality of
sectors to facilitate connection with at least one wireless device
located in at least one of the plurality of sectors other than the subset
of the plurality of sectors. Operation of the method proceeds to Step
S5500.

[0060] In Step S5500, WiGig communication may be established between the
at least one wireless device and the WiGig-enabled PCP/AP facilitated by
the beacon signal in at least one of the above-described modes. Operation
of the method proceeds to Step S5600, where operation of the method
ceases.

[0061] The disclosed embodiments may include a non-transitory
computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a
processor, may cause the processor to execute the steps of a method as
outlined above.

[0062] The above-described exemplary systems and methods reference certain
conventional components to provide a brief, general description of
suitable communication and processing environments in which the subject
matter of this disclosure may be implemented for familiarity and ease of
understanding. Although not required, embodiments of the disclosure may
be provided, at least in part, in a form of hardware circuits, firmware
or software computer-executable instructions to carry out the specific
functions described, such as program modules, being executed by a
processor. Generally, program modules include routine programs, objects,
components, data structures, and the like that perform particular tasks
or implement particular data types.

[0063] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of
the disclosed subject matter may be practiced in communication network
environments with many types of communication equipment and computing
system configurations.

[0064] Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed network
communication environments where tasks are performed by local and remote
processing devices, generally as outlined above, that are linked to each
other by hardwired links, wireless links, or a combination of both
through a communication network. In a distributed network environment,
program modules may be located in both local and remote data storage
devices.

[0065] Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure may also
include computer-readable media having stored computer-executable
instructions or data structures that can be accessed, read and executed
by a particular module or device in, for example, a WiGig-enabled PCP/AP.
Such computer-readable media can be any available media that can be
accessed by a processor in, or in communication with, the PCP/AP. By way
of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise
RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, flash drives, thumb drives, data
memory cards or other analog or digital data storage devices that can be
used to carry or store desired program elements or steps in the form of
accessible computer-executable instructions or data structures. When
information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications connection the receiving processor properly views the
connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is
properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of the computer-readable media
for the purposes of this disclosure.

[0066] Computer-executable instructions include, for example,
non-transitory instructions and data that can be executed and accessed
respectively to cause network components, or a processor in, for example,
a PCP/AP, to perform certain of the above-specified functions,
individually, or in combination. Computer-executable instructions also
include program modules that are remotely stored for access by the PCP/AP
to be executed by processors in the PCP/AP when it is caused to
communicate in the disclosed network environment across any communication
links such as those WiGig communications links described in exemplary
manner above.

[0067] The exemplary depicted sequence of executable instructions, or
associated data structures for executing those instructions, represents
one example of a corresponding sequence of acts for implementing the
functions described in the steps. The steps of the method, as depicted,
are not intended to imply that all of the depicted and described steps
must be executed as part of the method or that the steps need to be
executed in any particular order, except as may be necessarily inferred
when one of the depicted steps is a necessary precedential condition to
accomplishing another of the depicted steps. The depicted steps may be
executed in series or in parallel, as applicable.

[0068] Although the above description may contain specific details, they
should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Other
configurations of the described embodiments of the disclosed systems and
methods are part of the scope of this disclosure. For example, the
principles of the disclosure may be applied to each individual WiGig
communication link between an individual wireless device and a PCP/AP
where each individual wireless device may individually and independently
operate within the depicted and described system. This enables each user
to use the benefits of the disclosure even if any one of the large number
of possible applications do not need a specific aspect of the
functionality described and depicted in this disclosure. In other words,
there may be multiple instances of the components each processing the
content in various possible ways. It does not necessarily need to be one
system used by all end users. Accordingly, the appended claims and their
legal equivalents should only define the disclosure, rather than any
specific examples given.